It was just after 1200 hours when the men returned to the barracks. Hogan gestured to Newkirk and Carter and the three headed down into the tunnels. Hogan headed for the 'guest area', Carter and Newkirk tagging along. Hogan rounded a corner and swore, breaking into a run. Newkirk leapt behind him. Flight Lieuetenant Danvers had Private Trenton against the wall, an arm against his throat. "At ease, Flight Lieuetenant!" Hogan yelled.
"Of course, Colonel." Danvers stepped back. Trenton exhaled.
"What is going on?"
"The
private and I were discussing manners." Danvers turned an
emotionless face to Hogan.
"Trenton?"
The burly private rubbed his throat. "It was a disagreement. Sir."
"About what?" Colonel Hogan's voice was steel.
"I mentioned the corpse and that it was going to the Gestapo." Trenton rubbed his throat again. "Schultz said the Abwher guards mentioned dissection. The Flight Lieuetenant here went a little nuts."
"You fail to mention your remarks about skinning and what RAF stands for," Danvers said.
"It was a joke!"
"Private, go back to your barracks. We'll discuss this later." Hogan watched the private slink off.
"Is it true? They have Will's body?" Danvers' voice was low.
"It may be true," Hogan said coldly. "What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking of my navigator's body being mutilated," Danvers snapped. "He deserves better."
"You're right, he deserves better. Unfortunately, what he deserves and what his corpse will receive are two different things. He's dead. The body feels nothing." Hogan's stony voice didn't soften.
"He was my man, Colonel. If one of your men were killed, I wonder if you would be so blase."
"It's wartime, Flight Lieuetenant. Men die. I'm sorry Wilcox died. Now the best way to honor him is to get back to London and get back in the sky to continue the fight."
Danvers' lips quirked into a tiny, humorless smile. "Continue the fight," he murmured. "Whatever you say, Colonel."
Colonel Hogan minutely relaxed. Newkirk and Carter exchanged glances. Hogan looked at them. "You can start your tasks," he suggested.
"Yes, sir."
Bothered by bits of dreams and nightmare fragments, Newkirk avoided Flight Lieuetenant Danvers and pretty much everyone for the next two days. Late the second night, a sleepless Newkirk snuck away from his sleeping friends to check on Danvers. He wasn't surprised to find the pilot awake and reading. Danvers looked up as he neared. "Are you all right?"
"I'm all right." Danvers gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Corporal."
"We 'ope to have you out in a few nights." Newkirk restlessly rubbed his palm with his thumb.
"Thanks. I'm sure you'll be glad to see me go."
Newkirk shrugged, stepping closer. "You haven't been a problem. The others just--well, Colonal Hogan does have a good ear."
"And what do I tell him, Corporal?" Danvers gave Newkirk another tiny, wintry smile. "That Will was more than just my friend?"
Newkirk looked at the floor. "Sorry. It must be ruddy hard, that."
"It is."
"How did you--never mind."
"You've been very circumspect. Thank you."
"No problem. Like I said, I've met others before."
"The circus."
Newkirk smiled. "Mandy, the horse trainer and her friend Rosa. Plus two of the burliest roadies I ever met." He glanced at Danvers. "'Ow you get the drop on Trenton? He's a bit heavier than you. Fast, too."
"I had commando training." Danvers looked closer at Newkirk. "You seem upset."
"I haven't thought of the circus in awhile. They were good people." Newkirk twitched. "I will be glad you'll be 'ome." He stood up, paced a few strides, unconciously mimicking Colonel Hogan.
"What's the problem, Newkirk?"
"No problem." Newkirk eyed the blond Flight Lieuetenant again. "I just get a bit edgy, being locked up. I like to roam."
"You look tired."
"You try staying up all night and day, fooling the Krauts."
"Why haven't you gone home?"
"I 'ave a job here, mates to watch over. Leave this to the Colonel, a couple of bleeding Yanks and a Frenchman? They're all ruddy daft. They'd be lost without me."
Danvers tilted his head in a manner reminiscent of Colonel Hogan. "What are your friends like?"
"Besides being balmy? They're my mates. The best."
"Carter?"
"He's flipping crazy about his bombs but he knows his stuff."
"LeBeau?"
"He's good. Cooks great and it's nice to talk to someone who isn't a Yank now and then."
"I haven't seen Kinch much."
"Poor Kinch. He has the worst job in the world, running herd on us. Terrific radioman, level headed."
Danvers smiled. "And Hogan?"
Newkirk chuckled. "I could tell you tales of the governor! Hogan may be an officer but he's the best."
"Tales?"
Newkirk leaned against the wall. For the next hour, he told of Colonel Hogan, quick little vignettes that disclosed Hogan's quirky intelligence and courage while revealing no 'need to know' information. Danvers watched intently, leaning forward slightly. The beeping of Newkirk's watch interrupted him. "Blimey! I have to run. Roll call in ten. Didn't think it was that late. Or early."
"Thanks for stopping by." Danvers stretched. "Let me know if I can help in any way."
"You wouldn't speak German, would you?" Newkirk joked.
"Just a few phrases." Danvers grinned.
"Pity. You look the part of a perfect Aryan."
"Bite your tongue."
Newkirk chuckled and hopped up the ladder. "That's where you've been hiding," Kinch mumbled sleepily. "Roll call?"
"In five. I'll start the coffee."
"Not you," Olson yawned. "You make sludge."
"Have to wake up somehow."
LeBeau shoved Newkirk aside. "I'll make it," he grumbled. "Is Colonel Hogan awake?"
"I'll get him," Newkirk said. He knocked and slipped inside the room. "Colonel?"
"Morning already?" Hogan muttered.
"Sorry, gov."
Hogan shrugged and stood. He drowsily dressed and pulled on his boots. Newkirk held open the door. LeBeau handed both of them a mug of coffee. "Morning, men," Hogan said after a quick swallow. "Where's Schultz?"
"Heading this way," Carter said.
"What were you doing?" Kinch asked Newkirk quietly. "In the tunnels."
"Just checking up on our guest."
"He all right?"
"Just bored."
The morning was spent in planning the train mission. Newkirk hid his weariness as much as he could. He hadn't slept well since he'd brought Danvers in and it was starting to tell. "Newkirk?"
"Gov?"
Hogan sighed. "Go get some rest, Newkirk."
"I'm fine."
"Go. I need you sharp tonight. Heise pulled most of his patrols but we'll have to watch it."
"All right, Colonel."
